I'm all for all these sanctions on Russia

[grumpyduck]

and the foreign companies suspending operations, but it's mostly affecting the general public, not the government officials who can get whatever they want, legally or illegally. People being laid off or fired, products not available, and so forth. I have to hope something happens inside Russia before too long or the Russian public is going to be in serious trouble.

[Swede]

1. That's how sanctions work.

Piss off the populace and they turn on their leaders. Doesn't seem to be any other way.

[Karadeniz]

2. Economic hurt to those responsible could definitely be improved.

[Pantagruel]

3. Won't be long before

Russians start asking why their country is being ostracized.They need to be shaken awake to take back their government.

[Caliman73]

4. One of the horrific shortcomings of that type of policy.

The goal is to hurt the leaders, but the less powerful always get hurt first and worst. It may also serve to cause internal instability. Russians hurt by the sanctions may decide enough is enough, though with the strength of the repression and propaganda inside Russia, that may be a bridge too far.

[calguy]

5. They may b in serious trouble...

but their plight pales in comparison to what the Ukrainian people are feeling.

[grumpyduck]

9. That's absolutely correct, and

the Russian government (or part of it) is behind both problems.

Hopefully the foreign hackers will hit the government where it hurts.

[Javaman]

11. +1! nt

[Scrivener7]

6. There have been a bunch of posts about how woefully informed the Russian people are.

There was one about a soldier in Ukraine whose mother in Russia simply would not believe what her soldier daughter was telling her was happening before her daughter's eyes "because Russians wouldn't do that."

I have no beef with the Russian people, but neither do I think they can blithely continue to allow their leaders the permission to trash the world in this moronic dick measuring contest.

The Russian people need to be woken up.

[BeyondGeography]

7. How else are we supposed to get through to them?

[ck4829]

8. Way I see it is "Russians, you have 5 dollars now, but you have to spend them all..."

Here's the list of what you can buy:
* Destroy Ukraine - 1$
* Ostracism on the world stage - 1$
* You and your fellow citizens are hurting - 1$
* But Kremlin and the Oligarchs are fine - 1$
* Increased chance of nuclear war - 1$
* Overthrow Putin and the Kremlin - 5$

What are Russians going to choose?

[atreides1]

10. What are Russians going to choose?

All indications point to the first five options...because enough believe what they're being told by the current government!!!

* Destroy Ukraine - 1$
* Ostracism on the world stage - 1$
* You and your fellow citizens are hurting - 1$
* But Kremlin and the Oligarchs are fine - 1$
* Increased chance of nuclear war - 1$

This option might come into play once they can't put food on their tables or buying a loaf of bread takes a wheelbarrow full of rubles...

* Overthrow Putin and the Kremlin - 5$

[world wide wally]

12. Don't let any of the sanctions expire until Putin is gone from office!

[Wingus Dingus]

16. This is key. The pressure must be applied long after the fighting stops.

[Nictuku]

13. Inside Russia: Things are Happening

Link to tweet

As seen here: https://democraticunderground.com/100216439062
(Thank you HippyWife)

[AlexSFCA]

14. Sanctions MUST target general public so they reject putin

Also, the only sanctions which will truly work is embargo on energy sector. Europe and the world should be prepared to absorb the cost in order to destroy putin. This could be short lived. But if EU continues to buy natural gas from Russia, putin will continue to have power. Would you rather not have a heater, have high prices or live under threat of death like Ukraine?

[Wingus Dingus]

15. They have to be made to bear a cost.

I don't know another, better way to halt this atrocity.

[Tommymac]

17. Um, that is the WHOLE POINT of the sanctions. To effect everyday people until they revolt.

If Putin and his thugs ignore them, then they will pay the piper in the long run.

Freedom and Liberty demand sacrifices if they are to be achieved and held.

Ask any remaining member of the Greatest Generation.